Jessica O.

I have always considered myself an active person, however I never felt that I could reach my peak potential. I fluctuated between 10-15 pounds throughout the years and at times, became quite frustrated with my “eat and pray it somehow doesn’t show up on the scale” mentality. I knew that in reality, I needed to become educated on how to eat and how to lift.

I enjoy pushing myself to my limit, so when my friend Rachel, a Bikini and Figure competitor, was doing personal training, I jumped at the chance to be her client. I know there is no shortage of personal trainers in the Minneapolis area, however I knew Rachel would be the trainer I would be most successful with for a multitude of reasons. She is not only incredibly smart, dedicated and accomplished, but she is one of the most kindhearted and authentic people I have ever met, and I don’t say that lightly. I knew she would help me reach my best self… not only physically, but emotionally.

People tend to think that physical transformations are just that, physical. However, I quickly learned that there is so much more to lifelong transformation, and that is starts with your mind and your heart, then your body follows. Rachel isn’t a trainer who will just go through the motions; train you in the gym, give you a meal plan and wipe her hands clean. She will transform you from the inside out. You don’t just feel like “another client” with Rachel because she truly invests in you not only as a client, but as a person. A healthy body starts with a healthy mind and she devoted her time and energy to me to help me realize my potential. Not only physically but my potential as a whole person.

When we had our first meeting, she asked me what my short and long term goals were. She asked me how often I would like to dedicate and for how long to the gym, as well as how strict or intense of a level I wanted my meal plan. She tailored a plan to my needs and goals and voila! I began my journey of clean eating and lifting 6 days a week.

In the gym, she taught me how to lift properly and also showed me a load of new lifts that I was too nervous to try on my own. I remember looking at super fit men and woman in the free weight area at the gym and feeling like I didn’t belong. As I learned I began to feel confident in the free weight area and felt worthy of taking up a bench at the gym next to all of the large lifting competitors at the gym. It made me feel good, once again not just on the outside but on the inside!

Throughout the training, Rachel was sure to keep in touch and ask how I was doing.  She was so patient and eager to help when I would slip on my eating or when I was having a hard time getting to the gym. She would motivate me and was always available to meet with me if I needed a boost. At the end of my three months with Rachel, I lost weight, gained new muscles and lines I had never seen before on my body and gained confidence in the gym and in the kitchen when it came to proper nutrition.

I felt great knowing that this knowledge would never leave me and that it would stick with me for the rest of my life. What a gift! But most of all, I gained a newfound confidence in myself. Rachel helped me see I CAN do it and CAN reach any goal I set my mind to! You can too! Thank you Rachel, for not only your incredible friendship but your unwavering support and for being the person you are.